I need some help deciding...

[HannaBelle]

DH and I are booked on a Caribbean cruise this fall with RCCL to celebrate our 22nd anniversary, but I really want to go to WDW instead and take advantage of free dining. We were supposed to do a Disney Cruise with my extended family next year and now it is a trip to DC and VA Beach. I am excited about DC, but I need my Mickey fix.

Cruise Pros:

1. Roughly $700 cheaper
2. More relaxing
3. Seeing something new
4. I love to snorkel and it is supposed to be some of the best.

Cruise Cons:

1. We don’t drink, gamble, hang out by the pool or on deck to tan, so I am not 100% sure what we would do on ship days.
2. Staying in touch with kids and work (this is a 100% must) will be more difficult.
3. We have plans to take a Caribbean cruise in 2016 with our kids.
4. Nothing much that needs to be planned, so it feels weird.

Disney Trip Cons:

1. It will be hot and sticky and I hate being sweaty.
2. I am “late” signing up for free dining so I am not able to get a king size pirate room at the Caribbean Beach Resort for my preferred dates. We do have a “hold” on a king room at Coronado.
3. I have checked dining and getting reservations at ‘Ohana and a Be Our Guest would be darn near impossible for the length of our stay.
4. I am honestly afraid it won’t be as magical without our kids.

Disney Trip Pros:

1. It is Disney.
2. It is free dining
3. I LOVE Halloween and going to WDW while the fall décor is up is on my bucket list.
4. DH already agreed to dress as pirates and go to MNSSHP.
5. I am more excited about planning this trip.

What else should I consider? What would the wait be like if we just walked in to ‘Ohana or Be Our Guest without reservations during free dining?

 

[MommaPeel]

From what I hear you can walk into Be Our Guest any day at lunch without FP+. I'm doubting on dinner without a reservation, but I have heard of same day reservations being made. And you can troll the boards for those people in the Month reservations cancel threads and hope to pick theirs up.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

I'd vote Disney this year if you're going on a cruise the following year.

 

[disneyfan55]

DH and I are booked on a Caribbean cruise this fall with RCCL to celebrate our 22nd anniversary, but I really want to go to WDW instead and take advantage of free dining. We were supposed to do a Disney Cruise with my extended family next year and now it is a trip to DC and VA Beach. I am excited about DC, but I need my Mickey fix.

Cruise Pros:

1. Roughly $700 cheaper
2. More relaxing
3. Seeing something new
4. I love to snorkel and it is supposed to be some of the best.

Cruise Cons:

1. We don’t drink, gamble, hang out by the pool or on deck to tan, so I am not 100% sure what we would do on ship days.
2. Staying in touch with kids and work (this is a 100% must) will be more difficult.
3. We have plans to take a Caribbean cruise in 2016 with our kids.
4. Nothing much that needs to be planned, so it feels weird.

Disney Trip Cons:

1. It will be hot and sticky and I hate being sweaty.
2. I am “late” signing up for free dining so I am not able to get a king size pirate room at the Caribbean Beach Resort for my preferred dates. We do have a “hold” on a king room at Coronado.
3. I have checked dining and getting reservations at ‘Ohana and a Be Our Guest would be darn near impossible for the length of our stay.
4. I am honestly afraid it won’t be as magical without our kids.

Disney Trip Pros:

1. It is Disney.
2. It is free dining
3. I LOVE Halloween and going to WDW while the fall décor is up is on my bucket list.
4. DH already agreed to dress as pirates and go to MNSSHP.
5. I am more excited about planning this trip.

What else should I consider? What would the wait be like if we just walked in to ‘Ohana or Be Our Guest without reservations during free dining?

I think I would do the cruise. We don't gamble/sun bathe either. Sea days are just relaxing. We have played cards in the game room and just wandered the boat. There are trivia and other activities to keep you occupied on a cruise. The cruise will be much less hectic and food included! and anything you want for the most part. Contact while at sea can be a bummer but it is available through internet. Of course you are posting on Disney boards so I assume many will say Disney. Go over to cruise critic for some cruise views!

 

[elaine amj]

Tough call and great layout of all the pros and cons.

For us, we enjoyed cruising - but preferred WDW. We expect to cruise again in the future though so have not ruled it out.

On sea days on Royal Caribbean, we went rock climbing. DH participatedd in the volleyball tournament which he really enjoyed. We also played table tennis. The other "classes" we tried were a bust. I went for the line dancing and it lasted 5 minutes. I was not impressed. My friend went for scrapbooking and they did nothing but sell their scrapbooking supplies. We did go with our kids so chunks of the day was supervising them at the pool.

The RCCL ship we were on (Liberty of the Seas) had an awful movie room. We did watch half a movie but sound, etc was not good. We watched a movie on our Disney cruise and their theatre was fabulous.

There was also a show during the day which was great. We managed to keep super busy on our 5 day cruise. Never had the time to go ice skating. We loved walking on the outer deck enjoying the fresh air and the sea. Stargazing at night was also wonderful.

Meals and shows do take up a lot of time. Loved all the food on the ship. I love snorkelling too and beach days on a cruise was fantastic

Don't forget to include the cost of any excursions you might want/need to take at each stop. That might eat into some of your $700 savings.

 

[kaylasmom07]

I'd go Disney because the pros list has more pros. That and because you have a cruise planned for the future and it seems like you really want to go back.

Good luck with your decision. Both make for awesome vacations.

 

[HannaBelle]

Of course you are posting on Disney boards so I assume many will say Disney. Go over to cruise critic for some cruise views!

I am a member of cruise critic as well, same screen name. I have joined our roll call and have our shore excursions all planned out and now we are just waiting to leave.

The plan would be to drive to Texas City, stay overnight with a much loved Uncle & Aunt, take them to dinner and spend some time catching up. The park at the cruise terminal for the length of the cruise.

Here are a few additional thoughts:

• Parking at the airport vs port cancels each other out...
• Cost of souvenirs cancels each other out...
• Shore excursion money vs money for additional meals at WDW should just about cancel each other out...
• The irritation of driving vs flying is about the same. The drive will take a bit longer overall, but packing will be easier b/c we will handle our own luggage.

I am still leaning heavily towards Disney b/c I am NOT going to be able to wait 7 more years to go to WDW again!

I just have to get DH to give me the thumbs up that he is happy with it too! Of course, he did not bat an eyelash about switching until I mentioned the additional cost and that it was the regular dining plan. He likes to eat and is not looking forward to giving up the cruise food and room service, but he is happy that he won't have to dress for dinner.